The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-08
FREDDIE'S OVERCOAT.

fKEDUlE , UVERCUA
in some way or other the Lord will provide:
1t may not be my way,
1t may not be thy way,
And yet in his own way,
The Lord will provide"
Mrs. Carroll listened discontentedly to
the music which Lucy's fresh young voice
sent ringing through the house.
81 don't know what shall do" she
said to herself. "Pve tried in every way
to economize, and it doesn't seem to do
any good; we need SO many things that
we can not get. And poor little Freddiel
Here winter is coming on and he has no
overcoat, and 1 haven't the faintest idea
where one can possibly come from. Poor
child! don't see how he can get along
without it, either"
Then we'll trust in the Lord, 3ssEss
And he will provide"
sang Lucy, and Dickey. the canary, puff
ed out his little throat and joined exult-
antly in the chorus.
"Iv'e tried to be a Christian" Mrs.
Carrolls thoughts ran on, have want
ed to feel that there was higher power
to be depended upon, to which I could
take my cares, and from which I could
receive comfort in my sorrows; but am
almost discouraged now. / used to be-
lieve that the Lord would help those who
helped themselves, but l know that 1
have tried my very best to help myself
and can rot see that the Lord is help
ing me at ALL
AT some time or other the Lord will pro-
vide;
1t may not be my time
1t may not be thy time,
And yet, in his own time,
The Lord will provide"
Lucy was singing the second stanza
now, and the canary seemed almost wild
with delight.
"LucyI" said her mother sharply.
"Yes, ma'am, I'm coming" and as she
spoke she came and stood by Mrs. Car
rolls chair and softly kissed her cheek.
81 wish you would stop singing" said
the mother.
"Why, you said you liked to hear me-"
said Lucy, surprised.
"Well, do sometimes, but don't like
that song"
ooh, don't your" said Lucy, regret
fully; That is my favorite song. 1 think
it is the sweetest one of the gospel hymns"
Mrs. Carroll did not speak, and in a
moment Lucy went on.
81 won't sing it, though, if you don't
like it, mamma; perhaps I'd better go out
of doors and play awhile" and with sad
look on her usually bright face she slow
ly left the room.
The music had ceased, but the burden
of the sorg kept ringing in Mrs. Carroll's
mind, and she found herself repeating
over and over again, SIN some way or
other, at some time or other, the Lord
will provide; the Lord will provide; the
Lord will =" she stopped short as she re-
allied what she was saying and bending
over her sewing she earnestly endeavored
to think of some way by which che
could do the providing herself. Present
ly Freddie came in.I
"Mamms," he said, shivering, /" I'm
awfully cold. Where's my overcoat?"
"You haven't any, DEAR" and there
was queer little break in mammals voice
as she spoke.l
Haven't ~" asked Freddie in sur
prise. 81 had one last winter. Where is
it nowP"
at was tight for you Them" answered
mamma, "besides it's very worn and
ragged"
But what am I going to do about
it?" persisted Freddie. "It's getting
colder every minute"
"I'm sure 1 don't know" answered
Mrs. Carroll YEARLY, "but think you'd
better go and play now. Keep in the
sunshine and try to forget about it,"
Freddie started mechanically toward
the door, then came back and stood
looking out the window.
Suddenly he turned around and startled
his mother with the question:
"Mamma, isn't God going to get me
any overcoat this winter?"
"God get you an overcoatl" repeated
Mrs. Carroll in establishment"
Yes, ma'am; you know you've told
me that God takes care Of us, and they
tell us the same thing at Sunday-school;
SO don't you suppose he will get me
one?"
Mrs. Carroll was about to answer that